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  She was spending more time with Benji and since the conversation with Anabel and Lucy, her feelings for him now flourished., Sshe was more excited than ever to be around him but still had not plucked up the courage to say anything. Even though Lucy encouraged her too, especially as she and Calumn were in a full-blown relationship, but every time she went to talk about how she felt she would see him chatting to another girl and would be racked with jealousy and fear at revealing her true feelings.

  To distract her mind from these woeful thoughts she decided to ask Ethan something she had so far only heard rumours about.

  “Where did you grow up Ethan?” sShe asked after he had scooped his last spoonful of breakfast into his mouth.

  He looked up almost startled,startled; it was not only an odd question but also during a time where therey would generally be an easy silence between them.

  “On an island far away,.” hHe replied, closing up instantly. , Bbut Mo was not going to be fazed by his quick answer, she wanted to know more about Ethan. , Hhe knew all about her life and she seemed to spend more time with him than anyone else on the island.

  “Was it like Ety?”

  “No.”

  “What was it like?”

  “Different.”

  Mo sighed, this was going to be more difficult than she first thought. “Come on Ethan, how different, good or bad?”

  “Bad different. Iit’s not something I like to talk about, my childhood was difficult Moria, not something you would want to hear about.”

  “You don’t know that, I would like to know you better and your childhood is an important part of who you are., I know nothing about you Ethan, not even who your parents are or where they are, all the other Volucris on the island seem to have their whole families here but not you, why?”

  “Mo please leave it, you don’t want to know.”

  “I do want to know.”

  Ethan sighed heavily and stood up, “My parents are dead and I really do not want to talk about it to you or anyone else to fuel your little gossip sessions with the others. Now, we have more rock training to do, let’s go.” He turned and stalked off up the mountain.

  Mo had felt the brunt of Ethan’s rage once more., Sshe felt tears prick the back of her eyes, she had no idea his parents were dead, why should she, and she would not have gossiped with the others. Sshe might have told Benji she admitted to herself, but that would be it., Sshe was hurt that he would even think that of her. Instead of following him as she knew he expected her to,o she turned the other way and started to run through the jungle.

  She ran and ran through the densest part of the jungle, branches and vines whipping at her body and face. It was cathartic, as she ran over the conversation again and again. Why had he lashed out? Wwas it wrong that she pressed him for information?, Wwhy did she care so much about his life? She didn’t, she realised, she was just curious because of the stories she had been told. She had not expected any of the things that had been gossiped about to be true, she certainly hadn’t even thought his parents were dead, she had just assumed they were still on the same island. She felt stupid for asking, for not thinking that maybe Ethan had a hard upbringing, that things are not all rose tinted like her own life had been. She should've known that from talking to Benji about all he went through on the mainland, she really had had it so easy and her naivety was now so shockingly apparent it made her blush to her very core.

  She kept running through the clearing, passing the farms, crops and animals, joining the flow of the river past where they had first landed right to the end of the island where the cliff dropped away to the violent sea below. She stood there letting the wind blast through her hair. Sshe raised her wings, feeling the wind push and pull them, it felt wonderful. She closed her eyes and dared to raise her wings even higher. Sshe felt the strong wind catch in her broad wings and for the first time she felt her feet leave the ground;, it was truly exhilarating. Sshe did not open her eyes, she did not want to put herself off, she was flying properly and it felt so right, like she belonged in the air. , Sshe had to move with the wind to keep herself up but only slightly, the wind was like a cleansing force. She had to concentrate hard to keep up and it washed away all other thoughts. After a few minutes, she could sense someone behind her, he spoke so gently she barely heard him.

  “Don’t be startled Mo, just keep doing what you’re doing but let the wind push you back.”

  Ethan’s voice was calm but she could tell there was an edge to it. , Sshe opened her eyes and looked down. Tthere was no cliff edge or ground just the crashing sea., Tthe initial shock almost set her off balance and she gasped at the realisation.

  “It’s ok, don’t bat your wings, just lift them a little and let the wind move you back.”

  Mo was about to obey Ethan. Sshe was concerned how high she had risen without realising it but she then had another thought, she could fly. Iit felt good, her wings felt wonderful like they were finally being allowed out., Sshe knew her wings would not let her down, they would not let her fall, so instead she batted her wings once then twice and up she went.

  She heard Ethan’s voice calling her back but she didn’t care, her wings were working, they were carrying her up and up with each strike. It was tough though and she soon started to tire and her breathing became laboured. Ethan appeared at her side battling just as strongly to keep in the air.

  “You must listen to me now Mo, follow me, I’ll catch an uplift, you won’t survive this, you can’t keep it up.”

  He was right of course. Hher whole body was burning, her wings especially, with the effort of keeping air born, she could tell she was high up and above the ocean. Iif she fell now it would mean certain death. She nodded to Ethan as he peeled off and started to bat higher. She did not know if her body or wings could take it but the alternative was not an option. She fought harder drawing on all her strength, following Ethan, and then she felt the warm wind catch her., Sshe could stop batting her wings, the relief was incredible, she started to glide and catch her breath. Ethan was just above her.

  “You ok, just keep gliding following me, concentrate on your breathing and gathering your strength.”

  She was still too out of breath to speak so she just nodded in agreement. After a few minutes of recovery, she started to look around, to realise where she was. She felt the sun so much stronger on her back and the warm wind flow through her hair and wings. They were circling just above Ety and she could look down on the beautifully green island, she looked up to the sky and the clouds that bubbled up around her, it was breath-takingbreath taking. She looked over to Ethan whose face was full of concern, but she just smiled at him, and his face broke into one of his beautiful smiles, he couldn’t help it. He knew what it was like to be up here in the air for the first time. , Sshe felt complete, she felt whole, she felt like she belonged, and Ethan knew exactly how wonderful that feeling was as they shared it together.

  Ethan led them, circling Ety a couple of times, getting lower each time. Mo could see he was bringing them into land and she felt a pang of disappointment, but she could feel how tired her wings were and knew she needed to rest.

  “I would have liked to have talked you through landing before now and done some practice so watch me and just do your best,.” Ethan called,. Hhe sped up ahead and Mo watched as carefully as she could as he slowed towards the ground, lifted his wings up so they bought him to a halt and gently landed on both feet. Mo could only hope she would be as graceful but had a funny feeling that would not be the case. The ground was coming up fast and she could either bat her wings and keep flying or just go for it. , Sshe knew she couldn’t stay up here forever so she went for it. At what she hoped was the right moment, she lifted her wings up to stop herself but as she did she could see she had misjudged how far she was from the ground. Iinstead of just a couple of feet it was more like twelve., Sshe didn’t have time to bat her wings and recover so she just fell unceremoniously to the ground, landing on her feet hard and crumpling. Ethan
ran over to her full of concern.

  “Are you ok, don’t move.”

  She had banged her head as she fell and was now feeling very dizzy. Sshe could see Ethan but he seemed very far away and her ankles hurt, she knew that much, they hurt a lot. She felt Ethan lift her up into his arms, as he did his hands brushed her wings which sent a spark of feeling straight down her spine., Hher head fell against Ethan’s bare chest which also felt very odd and then she passed out.

  Chapter 32

  Mo awoke in a familiar room smelling of lavender and spice. She was on a bed of fur and knew she was in Phallon’s room. She tried to raise her head but as soon as she did, the slight headache exploded into a full thump.

  “Stay there, don’t get up Moria.”

  Mo looked over to see Phallon getting up from her chair and putting down some sort of stitching. She reached for a bowl and bought it over to Mo.

  “Here have some of this, it will help with the ache.”

  Mo sipped from the sweet-smelling liquid and as it flowed down her throat she did indeed feel the ache fade away.

  “That’s good stuff.” Mo thanked Phallon.

  “Yes, it is passed down from many in my family as a great pain reliever.”

  Mo settled her head back on the pillow and began to explore the rest of her body for any pains. She was lying on her front of course and every part of her being ached from her wings to arms to chest and stomach. Who knew flying would be so tough. , Hher ankles hurt not too much but she guessed that was due to Phallons medicine, she could feel they were strapped up.

  “Are they broken.” She asked Phallon tentatively.

  “No, just badly sprained and bruised, you will be off your feet for a couple of days. And no more flying, that was quite reckless you know, I have never seen Ethan in such a spin when he bought you here, or Benji, I only just sent them both off to get some food, they have been here most of the night,”

  “The night, how long have I been out?”

  “It all happened yesterday morning so a while. You took quite a bang to the head.”

  It pleased Mo to hear how worried Benji had been but she was also sorry to make him worry at all of course, she would be glad to see him. Phallon hadn’t mentioned her father, had he not been worried? Before she could ask, Benji bundled into the room.

  “You're awake.” His smile lit up the room Phallon moved out of the way so he could come down to Mo’s level.

  “Take it easy Benji she has only just woken up.” Phallon admonished.

  He sat down on the floor next to her and brushed the hair away from her face,face; his touch sent tingles all down her spine and drew a happy smile straight from her heart.

  “You gave us all quite a scare taking off like that then falling.”

  “It was only the end that was the bad bit, everything else was wonderful.”

  Benji smiled at this, “I bet, lucky you, the first of us land dwellers to fly.” She returned his smile and then saw the curtain twitch to the entrance of Phallon’s room, she could see Ethan there, he gave her a small smile and left. She wanted to stop him and apologise for causing so much trouble but he was gone and more importantly Benji wasn’t, she revelled being such close company to him., Phallon had disappeared and Benji was just there with her stroking her face.

  Chapter 33

  Over the next few days Mo had to recover, she was moved back up to her own room which entailed a very embarrassing lift from Tristan, carrying her through the main hall in front of everyone. Once there Benji made her comfortable and would not leave her side, bringing her food and water. It was a long trek to use the bathroom however, and for the first couple of days Benji had to carry her down stairs. To some she would suppose they would be embarrassed but with Benji she did not feel this in the slightest. In fact, she looked forward to it, allowing her head to rest on his bare chest sending glorious tingles down her spine, especially as his hands touched her wings.

  Something had changed within their relationship she could tell. Tthey still laughed and joked as friends but when they touched they could feel something different. Sshe could tell he was looking at her even when she had her eyes closed. They did not act on it or talk about it though it was there, but unspoken, waiting for a different time.

  Her ankles soon recovered with Phallon’s help as did the large lump on her head. She had not seen Ethan since her fall but was looking forward to starting her training again, especially getting back up in the air. While she had been recovering Benji too had flown for the first time and she could not wait to spend time together with him in the air. She knew she had to sort out her landing first though.

  With great excitement, she bounded along to her first training session with Ethan. As usual they shared a silent breakfast after which Mo knew she had to make an apology.

  “I am sorry about last time, about asking you things that are none of my business and running off like that, I guess I can be a total brat sometimes!”

  Ethan smiled, “No harm done, well almost none., I may one day confide with you about my family Moria but not yet, only a handful of people know and I prefer it that way. I am sorry I accused you of gossiping, I know you wouldn’t. The most important thing is that you can now fly, we just have to work on your landing.”

  Mo returned his smile. “Agreed!”

  And that is exactly what they did., Tthis entailed jumping off small rocks to start and then progressively bigger, Mo using her wings to learn how to slow herself down and then gently plant her feet rather than crush them. They practised all day until eventually Mo was jumping off a 30-foot cliff edge and landing perfectly.

  Ethan turned to her, “so you want to fly properly now?”

  Mo beamed nodding enthusiastically. “Remember always to follow me,” Ethan turned and ran to the cliff edge that gave way to the crashing waves below, he disappeared off the edge before reappearing batting his wings. Mo took a deep breath and followed jumping off the edge of the cliff her wings outstretched behind her, at first she fell but she knew that her wings would catch her., Aas they did she flapped them hard following Ethan as he caught an uplift and then they really soared.

  She was exhausted that evening, the landing practise had really paid off and although not perfect she certainly had not hurt herself on landing this time. After a brief meal she headed straight for her room bumping into Benji on the way, she knew he had been off with Tristan flying and looked just a tired as she did.

  “Hey, good flying?” Benji asked with a lazy smile.

  “Yeah great, much better landing. Are, we meeting up tomorrow, I want to show you what I can do?”

  “Of course, as planned in our place, have you kept back some blood?.”

  She nodded enthusiastically., Ssince they had both started to fly they had been desperate to fly together, however, they could only do this with blood and on their day off together. It was generally frowned upon to fly without your tutor in the first few weeks, but they couldn’t wait for that. They knew they would not have been allowed blood on a non-training day so both had kept some left in their skins for tomorrow, a secret but very exciting rendezvous.

  Benji leant down and kissed Mo briefly on the cheek making her shiver with glee and smile all over.

  “Tomorrow, I can’t wait.” He said.

  “Me too, hopefully won’t be so tired!”

  “I think it’s just the short amount of blood we had today not helping, we will be careful, won’t go too far, I can’t wait to see you in full flight.”

  They both grinned like the love-struck teenagers they were and left to curl into their cots, dreaming of each other and soaring through the sky!

  Chapter 34

  The next morning Mo awoke feeling sore but rested, she headed for the baths and dipped in the warm soothing waters. , Phallon had given her some ointment that helped with her aching joints which she now applied after her bath. She felt much better and the butterflies in her stomach were barely keeping under control.

  “W
hat are you up to today with that big grin on your face?” It was Thea lying in the water on her front, her beautiful turquoise wings held above her out of the water but reflecting the dazzling sunlight around her, she looked beautiful. Mo had a pang of jealousy at her colourless wings and wondered not for the first time what colour her wings would eventually become.

  “Err nothing just happy I guess.” Mo replied.

  “A likely story, you doing something nice today on your day off perhaps?”

  Mo would like to tell Thea the truth, she liked and admired her a lot, but as a tutor she knew it probably would not be a good idea., Tthe last thing she wanted would be to spoil her day with Benji, she had been so excited about it all week.

  “Just, you know, resting my wings, nothing special.”

  She quickly got up and exited the baths before Thea could ask any more questions. She dressed and headed downstairs for a hearty breakfast. She took a couple of rolls and hunk of pork along with her blood as a snack for later and once she felt no-one was watching, she snuck through the mountain to their special cave.

  Benji was already there when she arrived looking out over the sea, he was bare chested as normal, looking so strong, his body had changed immeasurably from the skinny boy she had first met. The spray from the sea clung to his bare chest and the stubble on his chin making him look like he was covered in tiny diamonds. To most Benji would not be the most handsome or attractive, but today looking out over the sea, he had never looked more beautiful to Mo. She knew it was taboo but she reached up slowly and touched one of his spray coated wings, brushing off the tiny water droplets. He shivered all over at her touch and turned towards her, his smile reflecting her own.